L-A Radio: Cumulus Media Sells KLOS to Meruelo Media

• Swaps Stations With Connoisseur Media

Cumulus Media today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell KLOS-FM in Los Angeles, CA to Meruelo Media, a division of the Meruelo Group, for $43 million in cash. Cumulus also announced that it has entered into a swap agreement with Connoisseur Media under which Cumulus will obtain four stations in and around Allentown, PA in exchange for two Cumulus stations in Southern Connecticut.

Mary G. Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cumulus, said, “These transactions are part of the continued execution of our portfolio optimization strategy. Both transactions are accretive, and the sale of KLOS-FM to Meruelo Media at an attractive multiple allows us to generate substantial cash, which can be used to further pay down debt and invest in high potential business opportunities. The Connoisseur Media swap significantly strengthens our presence in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley.”

Under the terms of the agreement with Meruelo Media, Meruelo Media will acquire KLOS-FM in Los Angeles, CA for a purchase price of $43 million. Meruelo Media will begin programming KLOS-FM under a Local Marketing Agreement on April 16, 2019.

Under the terms of the agreement with Connoisseur Media, Cumulus will receive WODE-FM, WWYY-FM, WEEX-AM and WTKZ-AM in and around Allentown, PA and Connoisseur Media will receive WEBE-FM in Westport, CT, and WICC-AM in Bridgeport, CT. The parties will begin programming each other’s respective stations under Local Marketing Agreements on May 1, 2019.

Moelis & Company LLC represented Cumulus as financial advisor in the sale of KLOS-FM to Meruelo Media. MVP Capital represented Cumulus as financial advisor in the swap with Connoisseur Media. Jones Day represented Cumulus as legal counsel on both transactions.